I'm not dead everyone! I've just been on vacation with no internet, so I'm sorry and I know it's been like a million years since I've updated. But you should all know that I worked on Forbidden a lot during my vacation and now I'm uploading the next chapter that you all have been waiting for! :) So I hope you enjoy it and thank you all for your lovely reviews. ^.^ And I just wanted to tell you all that if you like my story, then you really should check out PearlDahlia's Kuroshitsuji story, We all have feathers. It's also an OC and Sebastian story, so read it, its very good! And be nice everyone cuz it is her first story. :)
Disclaimer: I don't own Kuroshitsuji or any of its characters, though I wish I did.
Corinna tiredly moved one of the many tendrils of hair that were falling into her face, out of the way. Oh gosh, she was tired. She propped her elbows on the desk in front of her and rested her head in her hands. It had been two, very long years. It was difficult being the new head of the Phantomhive household and trying to run all its companies while being a single mother and trying to be a good parent all at the same time, it was a bit overwhelming at times. And the fact that she had to have the mansion rebuilt didn't lighten her burden. But she was grateful that she had to rebuild the mansion again, it offered her a chance to start a new life. Something she had desperately needed after Ciel and Sebastian's deaths. Maybe they're not dead… Her heart seemed to whisper to her. Of course they're dead! You saw the bridge collapse. And you had detectives and all of Scotland Yard search for them, and they found nothing. Her head seemed to say back. Besides, if they were alive, two whole years would not have passed without even a single word from them. Stop dreaming Corinna; it only wounds the heart more. They both promised you that they'd never leave, so why would they break their promises…?
Rebuilding her life again had been a challenge, as she had to recover all the broken pieces of her heart from the darkness and put it back together again. But she had Soma here with her, along with Anne and all the other servants, and then of course Nicco and Nevaeh. And they had all become a family of some sorts, which had helped heal her.
Corinna sighed and tried to focus on the paper in front of her. She had read this account about the toy company's funding at least three times, but she couldn't recall anything it said. A knock sounded at the door to the study and Corinna sighed, happy to have some sort of distraction.
"Come in!" She called and Anne opened the door seconds later, letting two bolts of lightning streak in ahead of her that headed straight for Corinna and pounced on her.
"Mama!" Both children cried as they clambered onto her lap and clung to her.
Anne smiled apologetically."I'm sorry Corinna, but your Aunt Francis is here to see you. Shall I tell her you're busy?"
Corinna kissed Nicco and Nevaeh on the head before laboriously standing and trying to carry both children. "No, I'll see her," She said to Anne.
"You two are getting so heavy!" Corinna told Nicco and Nevaeh with a strained laugh.
Both children giggled wickedly and wriggled out of their mother's arms.
"Mama, will you be able to play soon?" Nicco asked , tugging on the skirts of Corinna's black dress.
Corinna took his small hand in hers and smiled, leading him out into the hall. Both Nicco and Nevaeh were absolutely brilliant. Their minds were way more advanced than any other two year old, but Corinna supposed that had to do with demonic side.
"Yes Nicco, we will be able to play when your Auntie leaves." Corinna answered.
Nicco and Nevaeh both screamed with excitement and began to race down the hallway.
"Nicco! Nevaeh! Please be careful!" Corinna called after them, but when they just giggled even harder, she called to them again, "If one of you gets hurt, you will have the boogeyman to answer to."
Nicco and Nevaeh stopped in their tracks and looked at each other in fright, but their fear was quickly replaced with wicked grins.
"We can take him!" Nevaeh said and high-fived her brother.
Corinna sighed in defeat as Nicco and Nevaeh spread out their arms and began running in circles down the hall. Anne smiled and placed a comforting arm around Corinna's shoulders. "You worry too much," She said with a quiet laugh.
"I'm a mother Anne, it's a natural instinct to worry." Corinna gave Anne a small, weak smile as she cast a glance at her. "Anne, don't you want to be a mother? You've always spoken about marrying and having a family of your own… And well, I feel like I'm keeping you from that. These past two years, you've been helping me raise my own children, but what about your wants? Don't feel like you have to stay here Anne. Nothing is binding you here, and you are free to leave anytime you wish to do so."
Anne was shaking her head. "Corinna, I couldn't leave your side even my heart wanted to. You and those children mean the world to mean and you are the family I've always wanted." Anne smiled at Corinna and she returned the smile.
Corinna entered the parlor with Nicco and Nevaeh bolting in ahead of her. They both sat down elegantly onto a settee and smiled sweetly at their great aunt.
"Corinna, these children are more and more like you every day," Francis stated, eyeing the twins.
Corinna gave the veiled smiled that she often bore these days. "It's good to see you, Auntie. What brings you here?" Corinna asked as she embraced her aunt.
"I came to see you. Honestly, why else would I call on you? Use those brains in that pretty head," Francis said, sitting back down. "I'm concerned about you."
Corinna looked at her in surprise and then sat down next to Nicco. "Whatever for?"
"Corinna, it has been two years since your husband passed and you still wear black and never leave this house. You have already completed the proper year of mourning, and it isn't healthy that you continue to grieve in this way. You obviously loved him very much, but you must consider remarrying now."
Corinna fiddled with her dress. She really had become somewhat of a hermit, but she wasn't ready to face the world. Then she would have to face the truth of how alone she really was. Her brother was dead and so was the only man she ever loved, and that was the truth behind her grieving. She wasn't ready to let go yet. Corinna hadn't spent a single moment grieving over her dead husband, and she had rarely thought of him the past two years. She'd done her best to block him from her memories, especially his last moments.
The prospect of remarrying terrified Corinna and she didn't want to marry another man, because she knew she would never be able to be fair to him. He heart belonged to Sebastian, and it always would.
"I'm not sure that I'm ready to marry again," Corinna replied.
"Nonsense. You are still extremely young and beautiful and it would be positively scandalous if you were to remain unwed for the rest of your life."
Corinna sighed and lifted Nicco onto the other side of her to separate him from his sister. They had been in the middle of a discreet pinching war and Corinna knew that it would escalate if she let it continue. "Perhaps I wish to remain a widow," Corinna said, stroking Nicco's black, almost blue hair.
"That is just your sorrow speaking." Francis stood to leave. "There is a ball tonight at the Trancy household, which I'm sure you were invited to. It would be a good occasion for you to attend as your first outing after your husband's death. Please consider going."
Corinna gave her aunt a fake smile. "I will do my best to go."
"Good." Francis hugged Corinna. "I know you will be ok, and have you gotten any word about your brother yet?"
Corinna shook her head, doing her best not to break down crying. "But I'm sure he'll turn up," Corinna whispered.
"Elizabeth hopes so too. Well I best be off, I apologize for such a short visit, but I really must go," Francis said and before Corinna could say any more, her aunt was gone.
Corinna took a few deep breathes, trying to steady herself. She hated talking about Ciel. It only made the reality more clear to her when she did. And she preferred not to think about the truth. She felt her skirts being tugged and she looked down to see Nicco and Nevaeh looking up at her.
"Mama, are you ok?" Nicco asked with a frown.
Corinna nodded, putting on a smile. "I'm fine. Come on, let's go outside and play."
Nevaeh and Nicco cheered and quickly ran out the parlor doors and out into the garden.
Nicco stopped in the center of the stone path and looked around him for his sister. "Neva?" He asked the air.
Suddenly Nevaeh pounced out from one of the many rose bushes surrounding Nicco and scared him. Nicco jumped in fright and let out a shrill scream before running back towards Corinna.
Nicco lifted Corinna's skirts in one swift moment and darted beneath them to cling to his mother's leg.
"OH!" Corinna cried in shock. "Nicco, why are you under there? Come on out."
"No," Came Nicco's muffled reply.
Nevaeh came skipping up to Corinna and frowned, crossing her arms and staring at her mother's skirts as if her red-eyed glare could penetrate through the black cloth. "Don't be such a baby, Nic."
"I'm not a baby!" Nicco cried.
"What happened Nevaeh?" Corinna asked.
"I just scared him," Nevaeh stated.
"Nevaeh, you can't do things like that with your brother. You have to be gentle with him, he's more sensitive than you," Corinna said softly.
"I think he's a big sissy," Nevaeh said.
"Am not!"
"Are too!"
"Am not!"
"You are too soft on the boy, Corinna," A deep, chilling voice said behind her.
Corinna struggled to turn around with Nicco clinging to her leg. "Asmodeus," Corinna said in mock surprise.
"If Nicco is going to be the heir, I need him to be strong, and you're not giving him the proper teaching," Asmodeus stated.
"I know that, you tell me every time you decide to unexpectedly drop in," Corinna said pointedly.
"The personality of the girl suits Nicco better," Asmodeus said, eying Corinna with his red eyes.
"You will not do anything to alter my children in any way," Corinna said angrily, pulling Nevaeh close to her, and the small girl buried her face in the black fabric of Corinna's skirts.
Asmodeus smiled, a sight that chilled Corinna right to her toes. "I wasn't planning on doing something that would harm one little hair on their little heads. I was merely thinking that perhaps I should take the boy off your hands for a while," Asmodeus said.
"Not a chance." Corinna spat. "I tolerate your untimely visits because you're their grandfather, but I do not trust you to watch over them for even a second."
Asmodeus laughed. "You have quite the fiery personality, I can see now why my son took such an interest in you."
Corinna blinked as Asmodeus suddenly disappeared and then reappeared beside her. He gently trailed his fingers along her neck and up to her jaw line as he moved to stand behind her. Corinna had a sharp intake of breath as she felt his hard body press up against her back.
"And your soul looks absolutely delicious…" Asmodeus whispered and then licked her bare neck as if he was tasting her very soul. Corinna stiffened and Asmodeus closed his red eyes in pleasure. "You taste absolutely delightful, and you're pretty too." Asmodeus wrapped his arm around her waist, his fingers trailing up over her bust and lingering there for a few moments before coming to a rest on her on top of her collarbone. "I would love to bury myself inside you and devour you completely." He whispered into her ear, but it was more of a promise than a wish, and then he was gone.
Corinna gasped for breath, shivering as she glanced around her. "What the hell?" She wondered out loud. She was severely creeped out by what had just happened and she shook her head vigorously to try and rid herself of that horrible, creepy feeling she felt.
Nevaeh pulled away and looked around. "Is grandfather gone?" She asked.
Corinna nodded silently. "Yes, he is gone. Now how about we play now?"
Nicco suddenly crawled out from beneath his mother's skirts. "I want to be a handsome prince!" He called out.
"Can I be the monster?" Nevaeh asked excitedly.
Corinna smiled, glad to have these to distractions around to take her mind off things. "You can be anything you want." Corinna said and kissed Nevaeh's raven, black hair.
Nicco looked up at her with big, sad, dark eyes. "Can I have a kiss too?" He asked quietly.
"Of course." Corinna smiled and bent to kiss Nicco's head.
"Tch," Nevaeh said towards Nicco and then turned towards Corinna. "I guess that means you're the damsel in distress Mama."
"Great, that is just what I wanted to be," Corinna said and gave a little laugh.
"Come on mama, I have to tie you to a tree!" Nevaeh cried and Corinna followed her daughter over to a tree, where she pretended to be tied up.
"Oh no!" Corinna cried as Nevaeh stalked around her like a predator guarding its latest catch, but she stopped to look at her mom with a sigh.
"Mama, you have to be more believable," Nevaeh stated.
"Oh, sorry." Corinna replied with a sheepish smile.
Nevaeh rolled her eyes, shaking her head. "Amateurs…" She muttered before continuing her stalking.
"Oh no! How will I ever escape from this terrible beast? I wish someone would come and save me!"
Nicco jumped out from a nearby bush and struck a pose that he thought looked dashing, but it was a bit more like a super hero. "I'll save you!" He cried and charged Nevaeh with a stick he found lying on the ground. Nevaeh let out a low growl and pounced on him, sending him flying into the ground, and in a matter of seconds their game turned into a rough and tumble.
"Alright that's enough!" Corinna called to the two, trying to pull them apart.
Their tussle quickly resulted in a skinned knee and skinned hands. Nicco sat in the dirt, holding his scrapped knee and trying not to cry while Nevaeh sat next to him sniffling and pressing her hurt palms to her dress. Corinna knelt down in front of them and stroked their heads gently. "Where does it hurt?" She asked softly.
"My knee." Nicco mumbled.
"My hands." Nevaeh mumbled too.
Corinna held up Nevaeh's small hands for inspection. "You're alright, sweetie." She replied.
"I'm not going to die?" Nevaeh asked.
Corinna shook her head. "No, hon. It's just a small booboo." Corinna leaned forward to kiss Nevaeh's forehead and then her soft, round cheeks.
Corinna scooted over towards Nicco.
"Let me see," Corinna said as she tried to pry Nicco's hand away from his scrape. "Nicco, I need to look at it."
Nicco shook his head vigorously. "No Mama. I can't let go."
"Why not?" Corinna asked, wiping small tears from his plump cheeks.
"I'm holding in the blood and the hurt. If I let go, then everything will come pouring out, even my insides!" He cried.
Corinna smiled softly at him. "That won't happen Nicco, I promise."
"Pinkie promise?" He asked, holding out his small pinkie towards her.
Corinna nodded. "Pinkie promise," She said and hooked her pinkie around his and squeezed it gently.
Seemingly satisfied with Corinna's assurance, he peeled his hand away from his wound. Corinna peered at it and nodded. "Just as I thought, it's not bad at all," Corinna helped Nicco and Nevaeh up and began to lead them back into the house.
"Let us go put some bandages on those scrapes," She said, just as a wind ripped though the gardens, clutching at their clothes and sending rose petals flying everywhere. Corinna reached up her hand to peel away the rose petals that were clinging to her face. And then suddenly she felt eyes on her. She spun around and looked around wildly for the familiar eyes that she could feel on her. She had no idea who might be watching her, but their gaze was extremely intimate and one she hadn't felt in a long time.
"What's wrong?" Nevaeh asked.
Corinna looked down at her and shook her head. "Nothing." She replied, and casting one last glance around, she turned and led the twins inside.
Corinna took the twins up the staircase and to her rooms so that she could wash their cuts out in the wash basin, much to their displeasure.
"It stings!" Nevaeh cried as Corinna rinsed off the small girl's hands.
"I know hon. But I have to clean it out or it will get infected," Corinna said, washing the scrapes with soap and hot water before drying them off gently. "Alright, all done. Come here Nicco," Corinna said, beckoning him towards her.
Nicco pouted and reluctantly shuffled forward. Corinna picked him up and sat him down on the chair next to the wash basin before wetting a cloth and gently wiping his knee. After she was done cleaning their scrapes, she took them back into the bed room and gently plopped them onto the bed before she grabbed the small first aid kit from the top drawer of her vanity. She moved back over to them and pulled out a bandage from the kit along with a small pair of scissors. She cut three short lengths of the soft cloth and then wrapped one around Nicco's knee and the other two around Nevaeh's hands. Corinna then proceeded to kiss each scrape until the twins felt that it was sufficient and when their wounds felt better.
There was a short knock at the door and then Anne entered, carrying a light lavender gown in her arms. She glanced at Corinna and then at the twins. "What happened?"
Corinna sighed and straightened. "Their playing got a little too rough and they ended up getting hurt." Corinna answered and then went into the bathroom to clean up the mess in there.
"You're not gonna send the boogeyman after us now, are you?" Nevaeh asked suddenly.
Anne laughed and placed the gown on the bed before going to scoop Nevaeh up into her arms. "Of course not!" She cried and tickled the little girl in her arms, causing her to giggle. "Why, the boogeyman isn't even scary."
"Is that true, Anne?" Nicco piped up.
"Yes. I just had tea with him the other day and he is the sweetest gentleman ever. Wouldn't hurt a fly." Anne answered with a smile and a wink as she moved closer to Nicco. "But don't tell your mother I told you that." She whispered.
"Don't tell me what?" Corinna asked as she entered back into the room.
"Nothing!" Nicco and Nevaeh cried at once.
Corinna shrugged and then noticing the gown on the bed, she moved over to it to stroke the silky fabric. She looked at Anne. "What is this?"
"That, is the gown you will be wearing tonight." Anne replied as she placed Nevaeh onto the bed with Nicco.
"Are you going to a ball tonight, Mama?" Nevaeh asked, testing the bed on its bounciness by bobbing up and down a few times.
Corinna opened her mouth to say no, but Anne interjected. "Yes, your mother will be going to a ball tonight. And she should start getting ready now if she's going to be on time." She looked at Corinna and placed a hand on her arm. "I know it will be hard, but it will be good for you. And I'm not saying that you should go there looking for a husband, but perhaps you should consider looking for a lover…?" She added in a low voice.
Corinna sighed, shaking her head. "You certainly have become a lot more brazen this last year, Anne."
"Well, you weren't being straight forward and someone had to be. And right now I'm just looking out for your well being. It isn't uncommon for widows to take lovers after their mourning, and you're very young so it wouldn't do much harm to your reputation. All I'm trying to say is that maybe a lover will help you get over Sebastian."
Corinna turned away sharply. "Don't say his name Anne."
"Sebastian?" Nicco asked. "Isn't that our papa's name?"
Anne looked at Nicco and shook her head. "Not now Nic-"
"Mama, where is our papa?" Nevaeh asked suddenly.
"Nevaeh…" Anne said sadly.
Corinna turned around to look at the twins as she wiped her eyes.
"Corinna, I'm sorry-" Anne said.
Corinna held up a hand. "It's fine Anne. They should know." She sat down on the bed and put her arms around them. "Your father, Sebastian, passed on a few years ago." She said slowly.
"So he's dead?" Nicco asked sadly.
Corinna nodded bitterly. "He died in a horrible accident, two years ago."
"Everyone says that our papa was named Jasper, but Soma and the others here say his name was Sebastian. Why?" Nevaeh asked.
"It's a complicated matter, Nevaeh. I'll explain when you're older." Corinna answered.
"What was he like?" Nicco asked.
"Well, he looked a lot like Nevaeh. She has the same red eyes as him and the same dark hair. And he was strong and handsome, and he loved you both very much during the brief time that he knew you two."
"But I don't remember our papa," Nicco said, puzzled.
"Of course not. You were both just infants at the time, but he held you both when you were just born, and you looked like little loaves of bread in his arms. And I could tell by just looking at his face as he held you, that he loved every ounce of both of you," Corinna said, struggling not to cry as she remembered the memory.
"Did you love him Mama?" Nevaeh asked, noticing the sadness in her mother's features.
Corinna nodded, biting her lip. "Very much, dear."
"Corinna…" Anne said gently, stepping forward. "I apologize for being so pushy. You don't have to go to the ball if you don't wish too."
Corinna sniffed and shook her head. "No, you're right Anne. I have to learn to move on at some point. And I'll just be miserable for my entire life if I stay holed up in this house and wallow in my grief. Maybe it is time to go out again."
"Would you like me to help you get ready?" Anne asked.
Corinna nodded. "Of course Anne."
Anne had sent the children to the play room to be watched over by Soma and Agni as she got Corinna ready for the ball. She had washed Corinna's long hair and combed it until it was glossy and silky, and then she piled it up and pinned it to her head so that elegant tendrils hung down the back of her neck and in front of her ears. She then proceeded to dress Corinna in the lavender gown that showed an intriguing amount of cleavage and shimmered beneath the candle light in the room. Anne finished of Corinna's look with a touch of makeup, slippers that matched her dress, a diamond bracelet and a matching diamond necklace.
Corinna looked at her reflection and admired herself. She was impressed with the ways Anne could make her look her best. She turned to face Anne. "Thank you." She said.
"You look beautiful Corinna. And there's no need to thank me, I didn't do that. It's just your beauty shining through. You're as lovely as your mother." Anne smiled warmly at Corinna and then embraced her. "And don't cry, you'll ruin your face."
Corinna laughed softly and pulled away from the hug. "I should probably go now. Will you be alright watching the children for tonight?"
"Of course." Anne laughed.
"I'm just worrying. I haven't left them alone before," Corinna said.
"They won't be alone, Corinna. There are plenty of people here to watch them," Anne said.
Corinna nodded. "You're right. Well I best go say goodbye to them before I go," Corinna said and went out into the hall to the play room.
She heard yelling and giggling coming from inside and she cautiously opened the door to find Nicco giggling gleefully as he sat on top of Soma's bare chest, who was tied up with ribbons and looking absolutely miserable. Corinna glanced over at Nevaeh and found her sitting at a small, elegant, wooden table, having tea with Agni, who was crouched on one of the small wooden seats, in between a doll and a stuffed bear. He was wearing one of Corinna's pink ball gowns and Corinna had to fight back a smile at the sight of him barely even fitting into the dress. His turban was gone and his hair was a braided mess, strewn with bows and topped with a fake diamond tiara. He had a train wreck of makeup smeared across his face and he was holding a pretty china tea cup, painted with flowers, in his hands and was pretending to drink tea from the obviously empty cup.
"Hi Mama!" Nicco cried as he dipped his paint brush into the jar of yellow paint he held in his hand and then proceeded to paint a sun on Soma's chest.
"Stop! That tickles!" Soma cried.
Corinna glanced at Soma and saw that her son had completely covered Soma's face and neck in nonsense paintings. "I'm sorry," She told Soma.
"Mama! You look like a princess!" Nevaeh cried.
Corinna turned to smile at her. "Thank you."
"Would you like to have tea with me and Princess Opal before you go?" Nevaeh asked.
"Princess Opal?" Corinna looked at her daughter skeptically. She didn't remember Nevaeh naming one of her many toy dolls that.
"Princess Opal, please introduce yourself to my mama," Nevaeh said with a smile.
"Hello," Agni said to Corinna and Corinna looked at him in shock.
"Y-you're Princess Opal?" Corinna asked.
Agni just nodded.
"She doesn't talk much, but she's pleased to meet you," Nevaeh stated.
Corinna smiled and curtsied. "I'm pleased to make your acquaintance your highness."
"Corinna, the carriage is ready for you," Anne said as she walked into the room. She took one look at Soma and then Agni and burst into laughter. She wiped her eyes and did her best to stifle her giggling. "I'm sorry, it's just-"
Corinna nodded with a small smile. "I know." She bent over to kiss Nevaeh's head and then Nicco's. "I love you both. Please be good and try not to torture poor Soma and Agni too much."
"We won't!" Nicco and Nevaeh cried at the same time.
Corinna blew kisses to both children and then went out to the front of the house and climbed into her awaiting carriage.
Corinna was glad when she arrived the ball just as the rest of the guests were arriving. She had been in that carriage for quite a while and her butt had grown weary of sitting for so long. She rejoiced when she was finally able to climb out and stretch in the cool night air. Corinna thanked her footman and then went up the front steps of the house where a raven haired butler with glasses opened the door for her and bowed.
"Miss Phantomhive, I'm so glad you were able to grace us with your presence tonight," He said, his voice and face portraying no emotions.
Corinna inclined her head towards him. "Thank you."
His golden eyes raked over her body in a sensual manner and then locked with hers, making her shiver involuntarily. His eyes were penetrating and she could sense a ruthlessness in them. He's not human… She thought to herself in horror.
So this is the infamous Corinna Phantomhive… He thought to himself as he looked her over once again. He opened the door wider and let her walk past him. "The ballroom is through that way." He told her, gesturing to double doors that were open on the far side of the entrance hall.
Corinna nodded at him and then hurried away, her heart thudding in her chest. She had spent enough time around demons lately that she recognized one when she saw one. And that butler was definitely a demon.
Corinna shivered and entered the open doors to the ball room and music filled her ears instantly. She rubbed the fabric of her long, white gloves that covered her arms self consciously. She looked around at the people crowding the marble floors and then at the ones in the center that danced round and round, their jewels sparkling in the candle light.
How weird it is to be here alone… She thought to herself and had to resist the urge to run out the door and go back to the comforts of her home. Corinna took a deep breath and lifted her chin. "I can do this." She whispered to herself before stepping into the crowd to begin her socializing.
Corinna was talking to a young woman that she had known as a girl when someone began talking to her.
"Corinna Phantomhive, what a pleasant surprise," A voice said behind her.
Corinna smiled politely at her old friend and excused herself as she turned to face a youthful looking young man that stood just a bit taller than her.
"Charles Grey? What are you doing here?" She asked with a smile.
He grinned at her. "I'm here on work," He told her with a wink as he munched on a sweet pastry. "You look exquisite tonight. Quite the transformation from the grieving widow I spoke to last week to the vision I see here tonight."
Corinna suddenly felt those same eyes on her that she had felt earlier in the garden and she flashed a warm smile at Charles as she tried to ignore the hairs on her neck, standing on end. "Charles, you are too much."
Charles finished off his pastry and then took Corinna's gloved hand in his and kissed it. "Would you honor me with a dance?" He asked with a wink.
"I believe you just told me you were working," Corinna replied.
Charles' gray eyes met hers and he grinned at her. "It doesn't mean I can't dance with you. Besides, the action is quite dull at the moment, as you can tell."
Corinna sighed. "Alright, one dance and that's it."
Charles winked at her. "One dance is better than none," He told her as he took her hand and led her onto the dance floor. He took her into his arms and fell into step with her as a new song began. They twirled around the dance floor for a few minutes, talking and laughing until Charles had to abruptly leave in the middle of the dance for his work. Whatever 'work' that may be, Corinna had no clue about it and she sighed, returning to the crowd on the outskirts of the large room. A waiter with plum colored hair offered her champagne from a tray and she took it, sipping it and relishing its fine taste.
"Corinna Phantomhive!" A high voice called out to her and she turned to see Aleister Chambers, the Viscount of Druitt, hurrying towards her.
She gave him a veiled smile. "Hello Viscount."
"Corinna! I am so happy to see you finally coming out into public once again and gracing the public with your magnificent presence!" He cried, taking her hand and kissing it. "The parties that have occurred in your long absence have been so incredibly dull without you there to brighten up the spirits of everyone! And look at you," He gave her a twirl that almost made her spill her drink. "You look like a goddess tonight! You are as ravishing as always. And the time that we have spent apart, the long and endless stretch of time that you were missing from my life, must have made me forget just how gorgeous you are, because I am stunned by your beauty."
Why is he so over dramatic? Corinna asked herself. "Thank you Viscount. You are too charming." She granted him the veiled smile that seemed to have become a mask for her.
"Please, call me Aleister. And tell me you will put my heart at ease and dance the next song with me," He said, looking into her dark eyes.
"I actually was just about to go out onto the terrace for some fresh air, but I will hold the last dance for you." Corinna assured him.
"I will accompany you. It is a dark terrace and who knows what dangers may be lurking out there."
Corinna shook her head with a fake smile. "No that's not necessary, Aleister. I'm a young woman that is perfectly capable of caring for herself. Besides, I see that there is a group of young ladies over there that are just vying for your much desired attention. How selfish would I be if I kept your attention all to myself?"
Aleister smiled at her. "Oh my dear Corinna, generous as always." He raised her white gloved hand to his lips and kissed it. "I anxiously await our dance of love!" He said to her as he walked across the room to join his throng of admirers.
Corinna sighed in relief. That man was so over-dramatic it got to be a bit tedious and unbearable after several minutes of it. She glanced over at the terrace. Well, she supposed she had to go out there now and be true to her word.
Corinna moved across the room to step out onto the darkened terrace and into the crisp, night air. She took a deep breath and sighed. Fresh air did wonders on calming her nerves. And she was quite nervous at that moment. She felt so alone even though she had just been among a ton of people in that ball room, and she wished she had at least asked Anne or Soma to come with her tonight so she wouldn't feel so lonely. But that idea hadn't even crossed her mind earlier and it should have considering it was her first time in public after two whole years. It was overwhelming.
"Do the gardens please you?" A voice asked and Corinna jumped in fright, spinning around to face the butler that had opened the door for her when she had arrived.
She gulped and smiled awkwardly at him. "Yes, the uh- gardens, are very lovely." Corinna responded.
"I am pleased to hear so," He said, which made Corinna want to shake him and tell him that although his words told her that he was happy, his bored face contradicted them.
"I came to apologize for not introducing myself earlier. My name is Claude Faustus and I am the butler of the Trancy household." He bowed slightly at Corinna.
Corinna nodded and took a small step back but found herself backed up against the stone rail. He's too close! And alarm screamed in Corinna's head. She glanced around. It was dark and secluded where they were standing, and they were completely alone outside. He can break my neck before I even have a chance to scream. She thought in terror, but she gulped her fear down as best she could at looked the yellow-eyed demon in the eye.
"My master asked me to come speak to you and beg you for his impoliteness, since he so wished to meet you tonight. But business has him occupied," Claude told her.
"Oh, it's quite alright," Corinna said. "We could always meet some other time. Your master can come see me and have tea with me soon." Corinna suggested, her mind reeling.
"I shall tell my master that. Now perhaps you would like a tour of the gardens to make up for my master's absence?" Claude asked.
"No thank you. I am perfectly fine looking at them from here," Corinna said.
Claude watched her intently. "Your beauty is being wasted on a creature that doesn't even love you back," Claude stated suddenly.
Corinna looked at him in shock. "What did you just say?" She searched Claude's face, but he was betraying not even a hint of emotion in his features. And then suddenly his lips were on hers kissing her with what she assumed must look like fevered passion, but it left much to be desired. He knew how to move his lips and tongue in the perfect way, but his kisses had no emotion to them.
Corinna fisted her hands on his suit and tried to push him away, but he clung to her, kissing her relentlessly.
"Leave her alone," A voice growled and Claude pulled away slowly to look at a dark figure glad in a long coat and top hat. The lapels of his coat were pulled up so that his face was concealed and along with the brim of his hat, it was impossible to see the man's face. He was holding a suitcase in his hand and he gripped it tightly, clearly angry.
"I see you've decided to let yourself in," Claude said.
"And I see you've decided to try and take yet another thing of mine," The man growled.
That voice! Corinna thought in shock. I know that voice!
"You gave up possession of her when you left her alone to raise the offspring that you sired and when you made her believe you were dead," Claude stated.
Corinna looked back and forth between the two men. "I'm not a possession," She said quietly.
Claude looked at Corinna again and stroked her cheek with his gloved hand, much to the other man's obvious displeasure.
"I want to devour you Corinna," He said to her and bent his head to kiss her again. His lips came in contact with hers and seconds later they were ripped away and Corinna opened her eyes to look around in shock. The man was holding Claude up against the stone wall with one hand. "Don't touch her with you filthy hands," The man threatened.
Fast footsteps quickly approached and the cloaked man let Claude go as a small blonde boy appeared on the terrace. "Claude! Claude!" He cried. "Grab him! He's stolen something from the basement!"
The cloaked man glanced at the blonde boy and then he quickly tried to escape.
"Wait!" Corinna called, taking a hesitant step forward and reaching out towards the man. Can it be…? She thought, her heart thudding in her chest.
The man stopped for a second to look at Corinna, and that moment gave Claude just enough time to throw a handful of golden cutlery at the man. The utensils caught in the man's coat and hat, ripping it and revealing his face.
"Hand over the suitcase, Sebastian Michaelis," Claude said. "And give me back what you took."
Corinna gasped and struggled to grasp the situation. Sebastian is…alive… She thought slowly to herself. His eyes met hers and he could see the confusion, the hurt and the questions all filling her dark eyes at the same time. He looked away sharply and turned, running off into the darkness of the garden. I'm sorry Corinna. I had to… He said silently to himself.
"Go after him Claude! Don't let him get away!" The blonde cried and Claude quickly set off in pursuit of Sebastian. The blonde followed, leaving Corinna alone on the dark terrace, shaking.
She clutched at her dress and looked around wildly. What the hell is going on? Her mind screamed as she set off at a run to follow the two butlers.
She heard the boy's voice crying out to Claude not to kill Sebastian and she silently agreed with his orders. Don't kill him. Please.
Corinna finally caught up with them as Sebastian threw himself in front of the trunk he had been carrying, just in time to block the cutlery that Claude had thrown. Corinna cried out and rushed toward Sebastian, but Claude grabbed her before she could reach the other butler.
"You value the trunk over your own life," Claude said. "But now you have to choose between two things that you value. Corinna or the trunk."
Sebastian looked at Corinna and her wide, tearful eyes and then at Claude who was watching him closely. In one quick movement, Sebastian grabbed the trunk from behind him and stumbled off with it.
"Ah, so you've made your choice," Claude said quietly.
What? Corinna felt her heart breaking all over again. He chose a trunk over me? She struggled to free herself and Claude let her go just as Sebastian stumbled, causing the trunk to fall open onto the grassy floor.
"Ciel Phantomhive!" The blonde boy cried excitedly.
Corinna looked at her brother's small body curled up in the trunk and then at Sebastian. "You.." Corinna said quietly as she marched up to Sebastian. "You were alive all this time and you left me alone to raise our children with a broken heart. I love you Sebastian, how could you do this to me? You told me you loved me and that you'd never leave me again!" Corinna cried as tears streamed down her cheeks, ruining her makeup.
"Why did you make me think you were dead? Why did you make me and our children suffer? They have spent the past two years without a father, do you even realize how much they needed you and wanted you around? You should have been there for me, and for them! And you had Ciel all this time! Did you kill him? You- you monster! Do you know how many days I just wanted to die because the two people I loved were dead? Or at least I thought they were!"
Corinna's sudden cries were met with silence and it made Corinna want to strangle the demon in front of her.
"Do you have anything to say for yourself?" Corinna asked angrily.
"Nothing I can say will fix things," Sebastian said calmly.
Yes there is! You can take me into your arms and tell me you love me and that you're sorry and that you'll never leave me again and everything will be ok! Corinna's heart and mind screamed unanimously. Corinna stared at Sebastian with wide eyes and no one moved. She let out a ragged sob as Sebastian didn't say all the things she wished him to. Corinna then ripped her white glove off and slapped him across the face with her hand. "You bastard. I hate you…" She said quietly and although her slap hadn't fazed him, her harsh words had and he flinched visibly, making Corinna regret her words. But before she could take them back, Sebastian took off again with the trunk and Corinna sunk to the floor in sobs as the other servants arrived.
I hope everyone like this chapter. :) I had a lot of trouble writing it because at first it sounded like Corinna was really whiny the entire time, and although I still feel like she is, what my goal was to give you guys a look on how she's feeling. And I hope you like Nicco and Nevaeh's characters. I had help creating their personalities from my good friend, Taylor, so a big thanks to her, and my boyfriend, who also contributed his insane ideas. ^.^ Please review, my lovely readers! And until the next chapter, love ya! :)